Expressions of gratitude go out to Wade Weems for donating the new Rosenwald School sign and to Bill Womack for overseeing the installation of it this week on the grounds of the historic old schoolhouse located at the intersection of Broad Street and Clay Street in West Columbia. A Texas State Historical Marker was placed in front of the Rosenwald School in 2007 after it was moved from its original location in East Columbia to the downtown West Columbia area many years ago. Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington worked together in the early 20th century to establish rural schoolhouses for Black children during the era of racial segregation. The East Columbia schoolhouse was being used as a hay barn when members of the Columbia Historical Museum spearheaded the transfer and revitalization of the building that now sits in the lot behind the West Columbia museum. The old deteriorating sign was removed last year when new parking lots were created in the front yard area of the Rosenwald School and next door to the West Columbia Police Station on Clay Street.
Photos by Tracy Gupton
